Stapler



j u" V .17 2 ll l lllmh'ii if May 7, 1946. H. RUSKIN 2,399,751

s'rAPLER Original Filed Jan. 15, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1' H. RUSKIN 2,399,761

STAPLER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Jan. 15, 1940 May 7, 1946.

May 7, 1946.

H. RUSKIN 2,399,761

STABLER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Jan. 15, 1940 y 7, 1946. H. RUSKIN 2,399,761

. STAPLER Original Filed Jan. 15, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 clenching position.

. l3 of Fig. 10; Fig. 14,

Patented May 7, 1946 STAPLER Henry Ruskin, Chicago, 111., assignor to Metal Specialties Manufacturing 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Original application January 15, 1940, Serial No.

313,966. Divided and this application November 20, 1942, Serial No. 466,242

6 Claims. (01. 13)

other materials and clenching the staples.

Other uses will be apparent.

This application is a division of my co-pending application Serial No. 313,966, filed January 15, 1940, for Stapler.

An object of the invention is to provide a stapler of simple and compact construction, which will readily and accurately feed staples into A further object is to provide a stapler structure which may be formed of light metal but which provides sturdy and efficient stapling mechanism. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

plan view of apparatus em- Fig. 2, a side elevational view; Fig. 3, a bottom plan view of the base'member; Fig. 4, a bottom plan view of the top portion of the device; Fig. 5, a top plan view of the device with the upper cover member removed; Fig.

6, a bottom view of the intermediate section removed; Fig. '7, a plan view of the base member with remaining portions removed; Fig. 8, a plan view of the housing for the magazine; Fig. 9, a

bottom view of the follower member; Fig. 10,

an enlarged longitudinal sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line ll! of Figs. 1 and Fig. 11, a broken sectional view similar to Fig. but showing the driver in a position about todrive aJstaple; Fig. 12, a transverse sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line l2 of Fig. 10; Fig. 13, a detail transverse sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line a transverse sectional view taken along the line 14 of Fig. 6; F g. 15, a detail 'plan view of a portion of the staple guide in the magazine; Fig. 16, a fragmentary side elevational view of the same; Fig. 17, a front elevational view of the guide; and Fig. 18, a detail perspective view of the bracket which supports the magazine and cover of the stapler embodying the invention, the bracket being equipped with a notch providing a stop for the movement of the magazine.

In the illustration given, A designates a base member; B, an intermediate or magazine memher; and C, a cover or driver casing.

The base A is provided with downwardlyturned flanges Ill forming a base. At its forward end, it is provided with an upwardly embossed portion 11 provided with a central-anvil-portion 12 having cam sides causing the staples to turn inwardly into clenched position. To reinforce the rear portion of the base In and to provide a secure anchor for the hinged portions, which will be later described, I provide a heavy metal plate l3 (Fig. 18) which is riveted to the top wall of the base A. The rivets [4 also secure a spring member I5 having an upwardly-extending spring finger 15 The reinforcing plate I3 is provided with upwardly-extending flanges [6 which are perforated to receive the cross shaft ll. The sturdy flanges or supports l6 thus provide a pivot support for the pivotally-mounted upper members of the apparatus.

The intermediate casing or magazine support B comprises a metal housing strip l8 having upwardly-turned edge flanges l9 and having a portion of its bottom wall cut away at 20, as shown more clearly in Fig. 8, to receive the plate support flanges 16. The central portion of the housing [8 is struck upwardly to form verticalside flanges 2] providing a track for staples, which are indicated by the numeral 22. Mounted upon the flanges or track 2| is a follower member 23 having downwardly-turned side flanges 23 and equipped at its top with a plate having laterally-extending arms 25. To the ends of the arms 25 are secured the ends of a single spring 26. The spring extends about an upwardly-struck abutment 21 formed from the member 18 and located at the forward end of the member 18. With this arrangement, the follower 23 is drawn forwardly so as to feed the staples 22 in a forward direction. A

The outer casing for the follower 23 is provided by a member 28 which is riveted to the member l8, as shown more clearly in Figs. 12 and 14. The forward end of the member extends upwardly and forwardly to provide a bifurcated driver guide 29. Also, the forward end of the member 28 is turned upwardly at 30, as shown more clearly in Figs. 10 and 11, and it provides a stop bridging the two sides of the member. It will be noted that the member 28 is cut away centrally at 3| to enable the staples to be readily inserted upon the track 2! and to provide access to the follower 23, slots 32 extending on either side of the cutaway portion 3|. By this means, the follower may be retracted substantially to the rear of the track 2| to permit the insertion of a block of staples through the central open space.

In order to prevent the follower member, from passing below the driver, the forward end of the plate 23 is extended and provided with a stop member 33 adapted to engage the bridge at the forward end of the member 28.

It will be noted, as seen particularly in Figs. and 18, that the bracket arms or plate extensions [6 have notched portions 50 extending over the member 18 which permit a limited upward swing of the plate. This prevents the magazine housing l8 from swinging too far upwardly and providing a space in which the fingers of the operator may be caught.

The cover member C may be of any suitable construction. In the illustration given, it consists of a top web 34 equipped with downwardlyturned edge portions 35. The side edge portions are perforated to receive the pivot shaft H. The shaft I! is provided on one side with a head 36 and on the other side with a rivet head 31. By this means, the pivotally-mounted member B and C are securely carried upon the bracket arm Hi.

The cover member C has its casing extending rearwardly of the pivot l7 and the extension is adapted to paSS through an opening 38 in the top wall of the base A. The opening 38 in the base permits the cover C to be opened relatively wide to permit direct access to the magazine casing B, as for the insertion or removal of the staples 22.

On its inner side, the cover member C i provided with a spring member 39, the forward end of the spring member being turned downwardly and inclined slightly forwardly to form a spring driver 46. The rear portion of the member 39 is turned downwardly to form a spring finger 2!. The spring member 39 is secured to the top wall 34 of the member C by the rivet 42 and also by a plate member 43 which has end portions extending downwardly through openings in the wall 34 and spring member 39 and then bent inwardly into clenched position. lhe plate 43 is adapted to bear insignia of any desired character. In the illustrations given in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, several sheets of paper are indicated by the numeral 44.

A pin-punch lug 46 on one of the side flanges of the member C (Figs. 2 and 4), is provided to enter the hole (Fig. 2) formed in the adjacent side flange IQ of the member B. The engagement of the lug with the wall of the hole limits the upward movement of the member C under the force of the upward thrust of the spring 4 I.

Operation In the operation of the device, the cover member C is raised, this movement being permitted by the opening 38 in the base A, which opening receives the rearwardly-extending portion of C. The raising of the cover C expose the interior of the magazine member C, and loading of the magazine may be accomplished byfirst retracting the follower member 23. The fingers of the operator may draw the follower rearwardly readily by engagement with the upwardly-extending finger arms 25. After the follower 23 has been withdrawn to the rear portion of the track 2|, a block of staples, cemented together as in the usual manner, may be dropped into the space 3| upon the track 2i. The follower may then be released so as to draw, under the influence of spring 26, the block of staples forwardly to the position shown in Fig. 10. The follower 23 may again be withdrawn to its rear position and another block of staples inserted into the space 3|, if desired. The tension exerted by the spring 26 causes the follower member 23 to press the staples forwardly so that the foremost staple occupies a position close against the divided driver guide 29. It will be observed that the driver guide at the upper portions 29 is forwardly bent so as to provide a cam surface adapted to be engaged in the descending 'stroke of the spring driver 40. The spring driver 40 flexes inwardly and in its downward movement follows closely the wall of the guides 29. It thus engages the forward portion of the forward staple without contacting any portion of the next staple. The flexing of the spring member 4!] insures accurate engagement with the forward staple. Even though the supporting parts or hinged members should work loose in time, the spring member 40 will be sure to follow the desired path because of the play allowed by the spring and of the flexing of this member after engaging the cam surface of guides 29.

After the magazine has been filled as above described, the cover C is closed to the position shown best in Fig. 10, and paper sheets or other members 44 inserted above the anvil [2. The member B provides a limited area above the anvil for receiving papers to be joined. It is held against vertical movement by engagement with the notched flanges IE, and the spring lfi normally holds it in raised position. Likewise, spring 4! hOlds the cover C normally in the partially raised position, illustrated in Fig. 10, with the spring driver 40 just above the guide 29.

In the stapling operation, the cover C is pressed sharply downwardly. In this movement, the driver 46 engages the foremost staple and presses it downwardly. At the same time, the member B moves downwardly against the force of spring finger I5 to the position shown in Fig. 11. In this position, the staple is driven home, the end portions piercing the paper sheets 44 and being curved inwardly and clamped by the anvil cam portions I2 of base A. Upon release of the cover C, the spring I5 raises the member B to the position shown in Fig. 10, and spring 4| raises the cover C to the position likewise shown in Fig. 10. At the same time, spring 26 draws the follower 23 forwardly so as to bring the next staple into position against the guides 29. The apparatus is now ready for the next operation.

It will be noted that the staples 22 are exposed from both sides so that they are readily accessible for removal incase one of the staples becomes bent, etc. The magazine or inner stapler case, the follower, and outer stapler guide are all assembled in one unit structure which may be removed as a unit. The base and forming anvil are also formed, as will be noted, in one unit.

While the casing members A, B and C are formed of thin metal, it will be noted that they are reinforced by a heavy metal plate l3, and the overlapping edge portions of the members B and C carried by the pivot pin l1 form a sturdily reinforced structure. The telescoping relation of the members A and B provide accurately guiding structures for each other, both for the front and rear portions thereof.

It will be noted that the follower is drawn by a single spring, the ends of the arms being engaged by the ends of the spring, the tension being thus equalized upon the follower so as to cause it to move uniformly and evenly along the tracks 2|.

The spring driver 40 not only enables an arouate movement of the members C and B to be carried out readily and without interruption, but also insures the accurate engagement with the forward part of the first staple and uniform action even after considerable wear of the pivot parts.

be made readily by those skilled in the art with out departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the class set forth, a base member equipped with an anvil and providing a substantially fiat surface, said flat surface hav-,

ing a cutaway portion forming an aperture therein, a plate member secured to said base and having upwardly-extending bracket members passing through said opening, a magazine member pivotally mounted on said bracket members, a cover member pivotally mounted on said bracket members at a portion of the cover intermediate the ends thereof for movement thereon independent of the movement of the magazine member, the end of the cover extending over said aperture and being adapted to pass into the same when the cover is moved upwardly, the forward edge of said opening providing a stop for the cover said magazine member being provided with staple guides and said cover member being provided with a staple driver adapted to pass through said uides.

2. In apparatus of the class set forth, a substantially fiat base having supporting downwardly-extending side flanges and being equipped with a cutaway portion providing an opening at the rear portion of the base, a magazine member supported above the base in spaced relation thereto, and a cover member pivotally supported upon the rear portion of the base adjacent the forward end of said opening, said cover member being pivotally mounted at a portion intermediate the ends thereof and having its rear portion receivable through the opening in said base to permit the cover member to be spread to expose the magazine member, the forward edge of said opening providing a stop for the cover.

3. In apparatus of the character set forth, a base equipped with an anvil, a magazine member pivotally supported thereon, a cover member pivotally supported upon the base and in telescoping relation with said magazine member, said magazine member being provided with means for supporting staples, said cover member being provided with a spring member turned downwardly at one end thereof to provide a driver, and said member being turned backwardly upon itself at.

the other end thereof to provide a spring for separating the magazine and cover members, and spring means for separating the base and the magazine member.

4. In a stapler of the class set forth, a base, an anvil carried by said base, a magazine supported above said anvil and adapted to support a plurality of staples, an actuating member pivotally supported on said base and equipped with a staple driver member, said actuating member being movable between upper position wherein the staple driver member does not engage a staple carried by the magazine and lower position wherein the staple driver member engages a staple carried by the magazine, and an integral bifurcated member carried by said magazine forming a pair of guides disposed in spaced relation on opposite sides of the staple driver member when the staple driver member is in staple-engaging position, said guides extending upwardly above a horizontal line drawn through the top of the forward portion of said magazine and providing a guide for said staple driver member through at least the lower portion of its path of movement.

5. In stapler apparatus, a base providing an anvil, a magazine member supported above said base and equipped with a staple track, a pivotally-rnounted driver member equipped with a staple driver, said driver member being movable between upper position wherein the driver is not in engagement with a staple on said track and lower position wherein the driver engages the foremost staple on said track, and a staple guide carried by said magazine and equipped with a pair of integral spaced members extending upwardly above said track and disposed on opposite sides of the staple driver when the staple driver is in lower position, said integral members serving to guide the staple driver throughout at least the lower portion of its path of movement to bring the driver into alignment with the foremost staple whereby the foremost staple ma be pressed downwardly b the driver.

6. In a stapler, a base providing an anvil, a magazine supported above said base and equipped with a staple track, a driver member supported above said magazine, said member being pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof and carrying a staple driver adjacent the other end thereof and being movable between upper position wherein the driver does not engage a staple 0 carried by said magazine and lower position wherein the driver engages the foremost staple carried by said magazine, a staple guide carried by said magazine, and a pair of spaced guide members rigid with said staple guide and ex tending upwardly above the staple track, one of said guide members being disposed forwardly and the other guide member being disposed rear- Wardly of the staple driver when the driver is in lower position whereby the guide members provide therebetween a guide for the driver to bring the driver into alignment with the foremost staple on said track, the forward end of said pair of guide members being provided with a forwardly-inclined upper surface.

HENRY RUSKlN. 

